The actor starred as in the Bafta-award winning film, set in 70s Britain and released in 1999, and is due to appear in the sequel West Is West, which is set a few years after the events of East Is East.

Jimi said: "I think it's down the gym, and facials and things like that - I think it's a compromise, I think they've split the difference, with film you can get away with a few years either side."

The first film saw Jimi's character and his brothers, who have been raised in Britain, resist their Pakistani father's efforts to instil his traditions on them.

Jimi revealed of the sequel: "I think it's very much a film which is all about a marriage, not my character, but they're married off in Pakistan.

"There will be new characters and some of the old characters won't be in this one so it will be new film - it's a new director. It won't be the same, put it that way. It would be foolish to go out and do what you did 10 years ago and it was a trailblazer.

"It will be slightly differently executed but then again it was one of the first films to give you that culture clash comedy genre ... so it will be a return to form."

:: Jimi stars in new British thriller Exam, out in cinemas on January 8.